Hooch dealer in the net

Continuing with its special drive against illicit liquor trade, Special Task Force personnel zeroed in on the trader, identified as Manas Yadav.

Acting on a tip-off, they conducted a raid on his house at Amhara village under Mufassil police station in Aurangabad, about 135km southwest of the state capital, and took him into custody. Documents related to illegal trade were also seized from his house.

Aurangabad additional superintendent of police P.K. Praveen confirmed that Manas was arrested and subsequently produced before the Aurangabad chief judicial magistrate.

The judge remanded him in judicial custody for two weeks.

The operation against Manas was launched on the directive of the state police headquarters.

A source said the officials concerned were evaluating the value of the property amassed by Manas.

“Once the details of his ill-gotten money are gathered, the process of confiscation of his property will start,” he added.

Sources said Manas had connection with bootleggers operating in the neighbouring districts, including Gaya and Rohtas.

He used to supply county liquor outside Aurangabad.

“Yadav’s links with Mantu Yadav, a brother of RJD legislator Surendra Prasad Yadav, are being ascertained,” said a senior officer posted at the state police headquarters.

Mantu was the brain behind the recent hooch tragedy in Gaya, which claimed more than 12 lives.

Mantu, who surrendered before the Gaya chief judicial magistrate, has been taken on remand for interrogation in connection with the tragedy.

Sources in the police headquarters said Manas’s close associate Brij Kishore Yadav was also under the surveillance of the police.